The Rules

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Rules: Time-Tested Secrets for Capturing the Heart of Mr. Right is a best-selling 1995 book co-authored by Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider.

The book's basic theme is that, in order to attract and marry the man of her dreams, a woman should play hard to get. The authors promise happy relationships and happy marriages to the readers who follow their 34 specific rules. A woman who follows "the rules" is called a Rules Girl. The underlying philosophy is that women should not aggressively pursue men, but ought to get the men to pursue them.

The book generated much discussion upon its release. Some considered the book to be useful and motivational, while others dismissed it as outdated, or a how-to guide that teaches women to play games and manipulate men. Others pointed out that Fein and Schneider were not counselors and had no professional background, contrary to what one might expect of the authors of a self-help book. The reviewer Maureen Corrigan on National Public Radio's program Fresh Air sarcastically asked, "And what are the authors' credentials? Well, their credentials are that they're married!"

The follow up book The Rules for Marriage: Time-Tested Secrets for Making Your Marriage Work was published around the time Ellen Fein's marriage broke up.[1]